UNSPSC 50537036: Dried non GMO star apples

The variety of carambola or starfruits are ovate to ellipsoid, 2-1/2 to 5 inches (6 to 13 cm) in length, with 5 (rarely 4 or 6) prominent longitudinal ribs. This means that they are produced without the use of methods that genetically modify organisms by means that are not possible under natural conditions. Such methods include cell fusion, microencapsulation and macro-encapsulation, and recombinant DNA technology (including gene deletion, gene doubling, introducing a foreign gene, and changing the positions of genes when achieved by recombinant DNA technology).

Traditional methods of breeding, conjugation, fermentation, hybridization, in vitro fertilization, or tissue culture are considered to be non-GMO.

UNSPSC 50537036 Dried non-GMO star apples is a Commodity code that does not reflect the recent state and local procurement activity tagged under it. The sourced opportunities span comprehensive grocery supply, fresh produce procurement, and meal preparation services for school districts, county governments, and state agencies — none of which specifically name dried star apples or align with that narrow commodity definition. The mismatch between the code's nominal scope and the actual work being bought suggests this code sees minimal relevant recent activity in state and local procurement.

The available opportunities instead show robust demand for broad-based food service contracts across school nutrition programs, senior meal services, and institutional food supply chains. School districts in Bridgeport, Connecticut; Fairfax County, Virginia; Bulloch County, Georgia; Savannah-Chatham County, Georgia; Meriden, Connecticut; and Pascagoula-Gautier and others have recently solicited master grocery contracts, fresh produce supply, and packaged meal services through IFBs and RFPs with response dates ranging from April through July 2026. Georgia issued statewide RFPs for fresh produce and food supplies; the Texas Health and Human Services Commission sought food and consumable products for the El Paso State Supported Living Center; Hillsborough County, Florida issued an ITB for senior meal preparation and delivery valued at $17.8 million over three years; and the City of Dallas sought boxed and bulk meal delivery services under an RFCSP. These opportunities emphasize Buy American compliance, HACCP food safety plans, nutritional standards including whole grain and sodium limits, firm fixed pricing with delivery prepaid, and extensive insurance and certification requirements. The geographic spread spans Connecticut, Virginia, Georgia, Florida, Texas, Mississippi, and other states, with school districts and county education agencies representing the largest share of recent solicitation activity. The code as currently tagged does not meaningfully capture this procurement landscape.